In the not-so-distant future, a typical conversation might go something like this:

"Hey, did you get my email?"
"Yeah, my AI read it and had my other AI send a response."
"Cool, I'll have my AI check it out and get back to your AI."

Welcome to the brave new world of AI-mediated communication, where our digital assistants are talking while we... well, what exactly are we doing?

As AI language models become increasingly sophisticated, we're inching closer to a reality where they can handle a significant portion of our daily communications. From crafting emails to responding to messages, AI is poised to take over the grunt work of our digital interactions. But as we offload more of our communications to AI, we're left grappling with a profound question: What is our value proposition as humans in this AI-driven conversational landscape?

Let's consider a scenario that's already playing out in inboxes around the world. You receive an email from a colleague about a project update. Your AI assistant, ever-helpful, drafts a response. It's coherent, on-point, and even sprinkles in a touch of workplace humor. You give it a quick once-over, hit send, and move on with your day. Efficient, right?

But here's where it gets interesting. Your colleague's inbox is also AI-enabled. Their digital assistant reads your (AI-generated) email, analyzes it, and crafts a reply. This AI-to-AI exchange continues, potentially resolving issues and moving projects forward without human intervention. It's like watching a high-stakes tennis match where extremely eloquent ball machines have replaced the players.

The efficiency gains are undeniable. But at what cost?

Consider this personal anecdote: I recently sent out a heartfelt announcement about my mother's passing. The response was overwhelming, with hundreds of messages full of kindness and support flooding my inbox. Among them, one email stood out. It was the longest response, at five paragraphs, and as someone who has been using AI since ChatGPT's debut, I found it clear that this message was AI-generated. It was well written but generic enough that anyone could use it for anyone at the death of a loved one. It lacked soul. 

This experience crystallizes our dilemma. What are we doing if we allow AI to respond to such sensitive messages? Are we outsourcing our humanity along with our communication tasks?

The value proposition of human communication lies in its imperfections, quirks, and ability to convey genuine emotion. It's in the typo that reveals the haste of a friend rushing to offer comfort. The awkward phrasing shows someone struggling to find the right words in a difficult moment. It's in the shared memories, inside jokes, and unique perspectives that no AI, no matter how advanced, can fully replicate. Mind you, in the near future, these very imperfections – like typos – may become increasingly valuable in our communications. Just as natural, unretouched photos are now more effective in generating attention than perfectly polished ones, these human quirks in our writing might become the hallmarks of authenticity. We might even see them intentionally incorporated into marketing strategies, serving as proof of the human touch in an AI-dominated landscape.

As we navigate this new terrain, we must be mindful of where and when we deploy our AI assistants. There's certainly a place for them in managing our overflowing inboxes and drafting routine correspondence. But we need to stay in the driver's seat for the messages that matter most – the ones that forge and maintain our human connections.

The real value we bring to communication in an AI-saturated world is our ability to discern when the human touch is irreplaceable. It's knowing when to set aside the AI assistant and write from the heart, even if our words could be more polished and our responses could be more swift.

As we move forward, the challenge will be striking a balance. How can we harness the efficiency of AI-assisted communication without losing the essence of human connection? How do we ensure that our digital assistants enhance rather than replace our voices?

Ultimately, the most valuable communication may not be the most efficient or eloquent but the most authentic. So, while it's tempting to let our AIs do all the talking, we should save some conversations for ourselves. After all, in a world where AIs can call each other, the most refreshing invitation might be, "Let's talk – no AIs allowed.”